The Story of Pride

The Story of Pride

The Glamour Grooming Parlor was open for business.
Poo-deen, the pink poodle and MeMe, the black and white skunk sat side by side waiting their turn to be groomed.

Poo-deen had quite a background. She came from a long line of champion poodles and considered a pedigree. This means that her mother and father and even her grandparents were 100% poodle, no mixtures. She carried papers proving this at all times, and was very proud indeed.

“I’ve been taught by educated dogs in music and art, and I always say and do the right thing,” she said. “And you should see my college degrees.”

MeMe, the black and white skunk was always looking at herself in a mirror. She was so concerned about how she looked that she barely heard what others were saying to her.

“I’m crazy about me,” she said. “I love to think and talk about me. I love myself a little more each day. Tell me Poo-deen, do you think I should dye my white stripe red? You know how well red and black go together.”

“Oh, do what you want,” replied Poo-deen. “Whatever! Say did you know that my grandfather was a great show dog? He won ‘Best of Show’ many times.”

“Is that right,” yawned MeMe. “I am wondering. Do you think my new hair bow shows off my eyes?”

Just then, a very messy looking dog entered the Glamour Grooming Parlor. His hair was all tangled and dirty.

“Well! Will you look at that,” cried Poo-deen. “They just let anyone come to this place. I’ll bet he has no breeding or any papers at all. I think I feel a little faint.”

“I’m sick and tired of waiting here all day. They haven’t even offered us juice or anything to drink,” whined Poo-deen. “Let’s leave here immediately before we get fleas. Tomorrow we will find a much better place to be groomed.”

Suddenly, they heard a small voice saying, “Please don’t go yet.” They had not noticed a small table near by, which held a lamp and a Bible.

And there, out of the open Bible sat a little green worm wearing a graduation hat. “Hi,” he said. “I’m the Bible Book Worm, and I could not help but overhear the two of you talking. We all have situations that come up in life that are hard for us. I am not here to judge you, as only God can do that. I am simply a helper. Because I live in God’s Word, the Bible, I have studied and learned a lot about God’s ways. I would like to share with you Proverbs 6:16 where it says that pride is a very bad sin. In fact it is at the top of the list of sins. And that reminds me of a little poem.”

When we’ve tasted of success

And it gives us quite a thrill

When our thoughts are full of pride

For our talent, looks or skill

Then we really need to know

That all blessings in each case

Come to us from God alone

And from His loving grace

“The Bible also talks about becoming self-centered. This means thinking too much about ourselves,” continued the Bible Book Worm. “It says right here in Psalm 119:78, ‘Let the proud people be put to shame.’ We are told to love one another as we would love ourselves and not be filled with pride, jealousy or rudeness. We are not to look down our nose at others, and we definitely are not to brag about ourselves.”

Poo-deen just held her nose up a little higher and did not seem to like what the Bible Book Worm was saying.

“You know, I did not make this up,” he said. “It is God telling us these things through His Word, the Bible. He wants the very best for us. If we will obey His Word, we can grow spiritually, and have happiness on the inside and a wonderful life on this earth.”

MeMe looked as though she was thinking very deeply.

“I think I understand,” said MeMe. “I guess we can say because of sin in our lives we stink to God. That makes sense to me. Others say I stink anyway, but only when I get a little nervous about something.”

The Bible Book Worm looked pleased, and he said, It is good to see our need to change. That is the first step. Then we must understand HOW to change our thinking and how to live the Christian life. In the Bible in I John 1: 9, we are told the answer to our sin problems. It says there, ‘If we NAME our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to clean us from all unrighteousness.’ This means that when we are honest to tell him the sins that we have done, He will clean us from those sins and also from the sins we did not know about or understand. Then we can continue our friendship with Him.” This is called having fellowship with God.”

Poo-deen looked very sad. “I’ve had enough of green worms and the Bible. I’m leaving now! Are you coming MeMe?”

“No, I think I need to stay and learn more about what the Bible has to say,” answered MeMe.

So Poo-deen, who was too proud to listen to anyone, left the Glamour Grooming Parlor, slamming the door very hard.

A few moments later, a cry was heard. “Help, Help,” someone cried.

MeMe hurried out of the door to see what was happening. There on the front steps lay Poo-deen, moaning. “I tripped on the top step, and I need a doctor right now!” she yelled.

MeMe ran back to tell the Bible Book Worm what had happened.

“By all means, we should call a doctor for her,” he said. Sadly he shook his head and continued. “I was concerned about you both, but MeMe, when you seemed to realize what the Bible had to say and wanted to change your thinking, I had hope. However, Poo-deen didn’t seem to care, and now she is hurt. Her own silly pride is keeping her from learning God’s ways. But, there is still time. It is her choice. Now listen very carefully, the Bible is very clear about this:

PRIDE GOES BEFORE

L !